Ba Methodist High School, led by captain Selita Bainivalu, is set to compete against Nasikawa Vision College in the Weetbix Western Under-16 Raluve Championship at Prince Charles Park in Nadi this Saturday.
Last Saturday, the team from Matavelo, Nailaga Village triumphed over Ra High School with a 15-0 victory in the Ba/Tavua/Rakiraki/Nadarivatu rugby zone final at Garvey Park in Tavua.
Coach Isoa Ranitu expressed optimism about the team’s performance, emphasizing their hard work to secure a place in the nationals. “Last year, we lost to eventual winners Sigatoka Methodist College in the Western Championship semi-final, so we are determined to improve our game this time,” Ranitu said. “We need to address our weaknesses and get the basics right. Since this is a knockout match, following the game plan is crucial.”
Key players for the team include full-back Selita Bainivalu, first-five-eight Elenoa Mole, winger Bulou Raijieli, and second-five-eight Louise Niubalavu. Bainivalu, notable for her performance with Tiliva Bukuya in the Rooster Chicken Tikina Cup (Ba Rugby Women Championship) last season, also secured a gold medal in the sub-junior high jump at the Coke Games last year. She is the sister of Ba Rugby representative Ponipate Bainivalu, who played a significant role in this season’s Skipper Cup.
The match between Ba Methodist High School and Nasikawa Vision College is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
Draws:
Under 16: Votualevu College vs. Lautoka Andhra Sangam College, Swami Vivekananda College vs. Jasper William High School, Sigatoka Methodist College vs. Ra High School, Ba Methodist High School vs. Nasikawa Vision College.
Under 18: Sigatoka Methodist College vs. AD Patel College, Natabua High vs. Votualevu College, Ratu Navula College vs. Jasper William High School, Cuvu College vs. Ratu Navula College.